Navy Explosives Tests Violate Law: Suit

Law360, New York (September 17, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT) -- Explosives training sessions run by the U.S. Navy in Washington's Puget Sound run afoul of federal environmental laws and harm endangered species, a new lawsuit alleges.

Two environmental groups, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Wild Fish Conservancy, filed the suit Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, claiming that the explosives ordnance disposal training sessions violate the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.

During the training, powerful explosives are detonated, which result in “substantial fish kills” and...